Importing Cattle

April 5, 2024
ADVISORY FOR CATTLE IMPORTS

Due to the recent highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) detections in livestock in Texas, Kansas, New Mexico, Idaho, Ohio and Michigan, Hawaii is currently not accepting cattle from premises where HPAI has infected cattle.

Therefore, effective April 5, 2024, Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) for cattle must include the statement: “All animals identified on this Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) have been inspected by me and do not originate from premises with a confirmed detection of HPAI in cattle or premises that is currently under investigation with a suspect herd.”

Additionally, eligible cattle from unaffected premises in states where HPAI has been detected in cattle, must be inspected within 72 hours of shipment and found to be free of signs of HPAI infection. The additional statement should appear on the CVI for these animals: “I have examined the animals identified on this certificate within 72 hours of shipment and found them to be free of signs of HPAI infection.”

Additional import requirements may be instituted on short notice.

Contact  [email protected] with questions or for additional information.

Other resource information:

***************************

General Pre-Entry Requirements for Cattle Imports. For additional details, see guidance document at:
https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/ai/files/2024/04/Cattle-Import-Guidance-Document-4.5.2024.pdf

  • Originate from a herd that is not under quarantine.
  • Be free from external parasites and symptoms of transmissible diseases and have not had recent exposure to these diseases.
  • Tested negative within 30 days of shipment by a state, federal, or accredited veterinarian for brucellosis (by an official brucellosis test performed in a USDA approved laboratory), anaplasmosis (with c-ELISA test at an approved laboratory) and tuberculosis.
  • All non-virgin bulls and all bulls 12 months of age and older shall be negative for trichomoniasis by PCR testing done 30 days prior to entry.
    • Tested bulls shall not breed cows from 10 days prior to testing nor shall breed cows until after entry.
  • Every animal in shipment must be uniquely identified by one of the following:
    • National Uniform ear tag (Bangs, Brite/Silver tag)
    • Official 840 radio frequency identification tag (RFID)
    • Official individual animal breed registration tattoo accompanied by the breed registry document
  • Sprayed or dipped under the supervision of a veterinarian with a pesticide at a concentration to kill ticks within 7 days of shipment.
  • Acquire a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection from a licensed, accredited veterinarian
  • Request cattle import permit when pre-entry requirements have been met.  Contact the Animal Industry Division during business hours:
    • Email: [email protected]
    • Fax: 808-483-7110
    • Phone: 808-483-7100
    • Phone: 808-837-8092 (Saturdays, Sundays and State Holidays)
  • The import permit and CVI must accompany the shipment

Post-arrival requirements for Cattle arriving in Hawaii

  • At home isolation from other cattle is required until post-arrival testing is complete.
  • Newly imported cattle must be tested 60 – 90 days post-arrival for anaplasmosis, brucellosis, and tuberculosis. An accredited, licensed veterinarian in Hawaii needs to perform the testing and collect samples. Samples should be submitted to the Hawaii State Veterinary Laboratory.

********************

Animal Disease Control Branch
99-941 Hālawa Valley Street
ʻAiea, Hawai‘i 96701-5699 
Phone: (808) 483-7100
Phone: 808-837-8092 (after hours)
Fax:  (808) 483-7110